The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-31
A Retreat Discovered Where Ladies
Drink the Poisonous LIQUID.

a tCSUTSuU DlSCON6Teu w ilcr0 AtsNlOS
Drink the Poisonous Liquid.
NEW YORK, July 3d. used to discredit
the sensational stories that the patrons OF
the fashionable modistes repaired to those
places so frequently under tho excuse of
trying on a dress because of the attraction
of the buffet offering the choicest liquors
and wines, until one day a lady friend con-
frmed the reports by narrating her ex-
pericnce, frankly confessng that at several
modistes she named it was always custom
ary to serve drinks to tho regular or
recognized patrons The dressmal5ing, like
the Iruit store in front of the sample room,
was merely part of the business carried on,
and there was a regular charge for the
liquors, covered in the bill by trimmings"
and attentions"
And | know from personal knowledge
that some very well-known ladies used TO
resort to the better class or uptown opium
joints several years ago, when such were
not subject to police raids, for the purpose
of ''htting the pipe in the most approved
style, because | once assisted a husband in
rescuing his wife from one of these places
within an easy walk of Madison square.
And the doctors will tell or can tell you
that the morphine habit-by hypodermic
injection. easily self-administered after
practice-has ruined many a previously
blissful domestic circle by claiming the
mistress as a victim, condemning her to
dream-life, and the more miserable because
OF the terrible awakening, resulting In in
sanity and death.
All this by way of prelude to the discovery
that a certain confectionery CT ''ladies'
restaurant in fashionable quarter is much
freQucnted because the proprietor is in the
habit of serving that fascinating and soul
destroying liquor, absinthe, to his patrons
as tea
There is front room. following the
counters containing the display Of confec
tionary inside the door, to which gentlemen
are admitted with ladies' Portieres that
reveal an elegant interior saloon separate
rear apartment, which is For Ladies
Only" where besides the deadly decoction
ices favored with liquors are served TO the
initiated The loud talking that is heard
proceeding from this room by the gentle
men customers in the front section is
frequently correctly conjectured to emanate
from inebTiateS, thick of tongue and III
coherent, not to say idiotic in speech, but
that they have visited the place for the pur
pose of Obtaining skillfully decocted alb
sinthe is probably little dreamed of. A side
door for exit is accessible TO those who
have too much respect to stagger through
the main room to the street, and | nm in
formed that there is parlor upstairs, also
convenient to the side door where those too
much under the influence of the intoxicat-
ing draught can steep Off the effects on
sofas provided for the purpose. The mis-
take of the opium joints in permitting o
minglng of the sexes, which led to their
discovery and eventual closing by the
police authorities is not made here, as none
but ladies are permitted in the rear or
inner room, and as the outer room is pleas
anter and comfortable, only the initiated
seek admission beyond the portiere, where
in an elegant interior they are served by
lady attendants the soul-destroying distlla-
ton of brandy and NORWOOD in delicate
china cups The liberal patronage is
evidence that the initiated are numerous,
and the flushed and leering faces of those
who are able TO leave by the front door
leaves little doubt that many imbibe more
tea than is good for them. 1t is no I'M
common spectacle 10 see well-drcssed ladies
leave the place perceptibly under an in
flucnce that unsteadies the gait and bewil
ders the brain and hope the day is not dis
tant when u scandal viii lead to the closing
Of the place.
Absinthe is drunk by the ladies because
they enjoy its aromatic flavor and dreaming
exhilaration Absinthe is rs rIinous TO the
health and brain as the opium or morphine
habit: the wreck mental and physical, is
inevitable and complete, especially as it is
so insidious and subtle in effect that the
victim Is taken unawares.
JOHN D'ARME.